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Military

The Museum's superb military collections document the history of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States. The collections include ordnance, firearms, and swords; uniforms and insignia; national and military flags and banners; and many other objects.

The strength of the collections lies in their enormous depth. Some 3,000 military small arms and 2,400 civilian firearms document the mechanical and technological history of the infantryman's weapons from the beginning of the gunpowder era to the present. Among the 4,000 swords and knives in the collection are many spectacular presentation pieces. The collections also include Civil War era telegraph equipment, home front artifacts from both world wars, early computers such as ENIAC, Whirlwind, and Sage, and materials carried at antiwar demonstrations.

Presented to General William B. Hazen by the Officers of his staff in June 1863

Description

West Point graduate William B. Hazen was wounded in action against the Comanche in Texas prior to the Civil War. He fought at Shiloh and Stones River where he was wounded, yet credited with saving the Union Line at “Hell’s Half Acre.” He continued to serve in the Army until his death in 1887.

The blade of this sword is long, straight, and single-edged. The fuller is broad and shallow. Both sides of the blade are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The silver decorations consist of floral sprays and designs. The gold chasing on the obverse is in the shape of two flags, military trophies, and a shield. The gold chasing on the reverse creates a flag and a classical style helmet. The grip is shark skin with a three wire medley that wraps around the grip 11 times in a spiral. There is a gold backstrap on the grip. The pommel is in the shape of an eagle's head. The knuckle guard is decorated in a casting of floral sprays in the center and laurel leaves on the sides. There is an eagle casting the bears the US shield on the base of the guard. The counterguard is ovular and bowl shaped and is similarly decorated with floral spray castings and laurel leaves. The counterguard terminates in a quillon that is shaped like a lion's head.

The scabbard bears three gold mounts. Each mount features ornate castings of floral and scroll designs. It is inscribed “Presented to / Gen. W.B. Hazen. / by the Officers of his staff / June 1863 / Shiloh, April 7, 1862, Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862.” between the top two mounts on the scabbard's obverse. The scabbard bears two carrying rings, one on the right hand side of the two top mounts.

Presented to Brevet Major General Judson Kilpatrick by the Officers of the 3rd Cavalry Division of Mississippi

Description

General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick received this sword around 1865 from the officers of his 3rd Cavalry Division. Kilpatrick, an 1861 West Point graduate, was a controversial cavalry leader during the Civil War. He was notorious for reckless tactics (he was known as “Kill-Cavalry”) and for womanizing.

The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. The fuller is long and flat, and extends almost to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in floral sprays in silver and gold chasing. On the obverse is a list of battles Kilpatrick participated in during the Civil War. The reverse of the blade features a "US" monogram, scroll designs, and military trophies. The grip of the sword is cylindrical and bears a banner engraved with the Latin motto, ""TUEBOR" / "I'll Secure Him"". The pommel is a cast of an eagle with one claw on a ball. The knuckle guard is a gold metal chain and connects to a horse's head about half way between the pommel and counterguard. The guard terminates in a small scroll design quillon. The counterguard features a cast of Kilpatrick riding a horse, surrounded by scroll designs and floral sprays.

The scabbard bears three gold mounts. The first features a diamond encrusted "K" surrounded by two angels with horns, a floral wreath, and floral sprays, and a curtain. The second mount features a US shield with diamond encrusted stars wrapped in a belt and surrounded by laurel leaves. The drag bears floral sprays. An inscription “PRESENTED / TO / Brevet Maj. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick. / BY THE / Officers of the 3d. Cavalry Division. / MILITARY DIVISION, MISSISSIPPI” is engraved between the first two mounts. There are three carrying rings on this scabbard, one on each side of the top mount and one on the right side of the middle mount.

This sword was first presented to C.W. Brandt by the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry. It was subsequently captured and presented to Lieutenant Colonel John S. Mosby by Lieutenant A.E. Richards on March 10th, 1864. The sword was recaptured and presented to Colonel H.S. Gansevoort by the 13th New York Cavalry in September 1864.

Description

The blade of this Model 1850 Presentation Sword is long, curved, and single edged. It is decorated on both sides with floral and scroll designs in silver chasing. On the obverse is an eagle holding a banner that reads, "E PLURIBUS UNUM". On the reverse is a "U.S." monogram in place of the eagle. The grip is cylindrical and wrapped with gilt wire 11 times in a spiral. The pommel is shaped like a traditional Model 1850 sword, and scroll designs are featured its edges. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with scroll designs. The quillon curls down to the blade in a scroll design.

The scabbard has three mounts. The first two are small and thin, and feature casts of oak sprays and acorns and the drag features a scroll design. There are four inscriptions on this scabbard, one on the obverse and three on the reverse. Two of the inscriptions (obverse and left reverse) bear the name of the sword's original owner “Presented by / Co.L. 1st N.Y. Vet. Cav. / as a mark of Esteem / to C.W. Bryandt.” The next, (center reverse), reads "Captured March 10th 1864 / and Presented / by Lt. A.E. Richards / to / Lt. Col. John Singleton Mosby", and the last inscription, (right reverse), reads "Recaptured / Sept 1864 / by the 13TH N.Y. Cavalry / Col. H.S. Gansevoort". There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the top two mounts.

Presented to Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Lawton by the Officers and Men of his Regiment [30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry] on March 4, 1865

Description

Henry W. Lawton began the Civil War as an enlisted 90-day volunteer. By the war’s end he was a brevet Colonel. Lawton received a Medal of Honor for service in Sherman’s Atlanta campaign.

This sword was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Henry W. Lawton by the officers and men of the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The blade is Damascus steel; it is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller is wide and shallow, and extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in silver and gold chasing. The obverse bears a silver eagle surrounded by a scroll pattern, wearing a US shield and holding an "E PLURIBUS / UNUM" banner in the middle of a large sunburst, all backed in gold chasing. The reverse of the blade features the same design with a "U.S." monogram surrounded by the inscription "For Union / and Liberty." The grip features a silver figure of Nike holding a laurel wreath; she is resting against a piece of gold metal in the shape of a large palm leaf. The knuckle-bow is a brass strip that branches off about half way down the hilt. The strip and branch are adorned in oak leaves and acorns. The branch widens into a large half basket shaped counterguard which is covered in openwork scroll design. This terminates in a quillon in the shape of a dragon's head.

The scabbard is gilded and bears three silvered mounts. The first mount features a medieval trophy design surrounded by laurel wreath and scroll designs. The reverse bears a "US" monogram with similar surroundings. The middle mount features a US shield held by an eagle standing on a globe with an identical laurel and scroll pattern. The bottom mount, which acts as the drag, features another eagle/ US shield design, as well as an ornate engraving of laurel leaves and scrolls. Between the first and second mount a plate with an engraved inscription to Lawton reads “LIEUT. COL. HENRY W. LAWTON / 30th Ind. Vet. Vol Infty. / Presented by the Officers and Men of his Regiment / as a token of confidence and respect. / March 4th 1865” The plate is surrounded by names of the battles he fought: Shiloh / Corinth / Stone River / Chickamauga / Atlanta / Franklin / Nashville. Between the second and first mount is a plate with castings of oak sprays and acorns. The carrying rings to the scabbard with an acorn shaped ring.

Presented to Major General George McClellan by the citizens of Boston on February 5th, 1863

Description

The blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. Both sides of the blade are decorated with trophy, floral, and scroll designs. The grip of the sword is gold plated, and is covered with rows of laurel leaves. The grip also has three bands covered in pearls. Two of the bands intersect in the middle, and the other wraps around the top, right below the pommel. The pommel is globular and covered in gold oak leaves. A large stone or gem is missing from the pommel. The knuckle guard is a gold plated strip of laurel leaves. The counterguard is double shell shaped. The top of the counterguard is corrugated. The knuckle guard terminates in a round quillon with palm leaf designs.

The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount has two angels holding a shield surrounded with floral and scroll designs on the obverse. Between the mounts is the inscription “TO / Major General George B. McClellan. / from many / Citizens of / BOSTON / February / 5th 1863. / Pro rege saepe, pro patria simper.” The middle mount has a medieval casque surrounded by two small angels and floral and scroll designs. The drag features the profile view of a goddess' head, along with some more floral designs. There are three carrying rings on the scabbard, one on each side of the top mount, and the other on the right side of the middle mount.

Presented to Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant by the United States Sanitary Commission Metropolitan Fair in New York, New York on April 23, 1864.

Description

This sword was voted to Ulysses S. Grant at the Metropolitan Fair in aid of the United States Sanitary Commission in New York, New York on April 23, 1864. The United States Sanitary Commission was a private relief organization that supported army hospitals and sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War. The voting at the Metropolitan Fair became a real contest between Grant and George B. McClellan who was politically connected and very popular in New York. The newspapers covered it as extensively as any election or military battle.

This design of this sword is similar to presentation swords of the War of 1812 era. The blade is wide, heavy, and straight with beveled edges. The obverse of the blade features a knight, a trophy, and a floral scroll design in silver chasing on a gold background. The reverse is similarly decorated with the figure of a youthful United States Infantry officer, supporting floral and scroll designs. The silver mounted grip is decorated on the obverse with the head a classical Greek soldier surrounded by military trophies; the reverse is decorated with a figure of Nike. The pommel is a bust of Athena. The lower portion of it is set with rubies and diamonds and a sapphire in the center. The knuckle guard consists of a heavy gilt strip, decorated with a medallion bearing the head of Medusa and terminating above the blade in a quillon in the shape of a ram's head. The counterguard is formed of a large oval shield bearing the figure of Hercules slaying the Nemean lion.

The scabbard is decorated with three mounts, two of which bear oak-leaf designs and a laurel spray on the drag. It bears two inscriptions, “PRESENTED TO / Lient. Gen! U.S. Grant. / by his friends through the / METROPOLITAN FAIR, in aid of the / UNITED STATES SANITARY COMMISSION. / New York. April 23.d 1864.” Also, “"UPON YOUR SWORD SITS LAUREL'D VICTORY". The scabbard has three carrying rings; two positioned on either side at the top, and one at the middle

Presented to Major General John R Brooke by Post 595 G.A.R. and citizens of Pottstown, Pennsylvania on Jan. 14th 1901.

Description

Born in Pottstown, PA, John R. Brooke served as a brevet Major General in the Civil War. He was wounded at Gettysburg and again at Cold Harbor. He later served in the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War. He was appointed military governor of Puerto Rico and later, Cuba at the end of the war. This Model 1840 style presentation sword was given to him in 1901 by Post 595 of the G.A.R. , Pottstown, PA.

The blade is long, straight, diamond shaped, and double edged. It is decorated on both sides in scroll designs and military trophies in gold chasing. The metal grip is mounted with mother of pearl. The grip is wrapped ten times around in a spiral with gilt wire. The cast pommel has a scroll design. The knuckle guard is a thin gold metal strip decorated with oak sprays and large palm leaves. There is a five sided star in the center of the knuckle guard. It terminates in a horn shaped quillon that extends outward. The counterguard bears an eagle holding laurel sprays in front of a large sunburst with stars. The design is surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The reverse of the counterguard is hinged and features the monogram "JRB" in the center, surrounded by floral and scroll designs.

The scabbard has three gold metal mounts, all of which are decorated with floral designs. Between the top two mounts is the inscription ” Presented to / MAJOR GENL. JOHN R. BROOKE / by the Citizens and ME Richards Post 595 G.A.R. / Pottstown, Pa. Jan. 14th 1901.” There are three carrying rings on the piece, one on each side of the top mount, and one on the right side of the middle mount. There is a long, thick, gold metal chain that hooks to the top right hand ring and the ring on the middle mount.

Presented to Major James Crall by the non-commissioned officers and privates of the 82nd Ohio Regiment

Description

James S. Crall was an officer of the 82nd Ohio Infantry Regiment throughout the Civil War. He mustered out with his regiment in July, 1865.

The blade of this sword is long, slightly curved, and single edged. The fuller extends about two thirds of the way to the tip of the blade, and both sides are decorated in floral designs in silver chasing. The obverse features US arms, a banner reading "E PLURIBUS / UNUM", an eagle, a small etched scene with a field and mountains, and the inscription “MAJOR / JAMES S. CRALL / 182d. REG. / OHIO VOL.” The grip is cylindrical. On the obverse, there is a cast of Columbia holding a sword in her right hand and a US shield in her left. The reverse is decorated with a "US" monogram that is surrounded in scroll and floral designs. The pommel bears oak scrolls on the bottom and is surmounted by an eagle standing on a ball. The knuckle guard is a thin strip of gold metal decorated in oak scrolls. The counterguard is decorated in casting of military trophies, including a US shield and a liberty pole and cap. All of this terminates in a quillon which extends downward toward the blade and bears a scroll pattern.

The scabbard bears three gold mounts, two of which are decorated with war trophies and the third with a US cavalryman. The reverse of the mounts feature scroll designs. Between the first two mounts is the inscription “PRESENTED TO / Major Games S. Crall / BY THE / NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS / & PRIVATES OF THE 82nd REGT. O.V. IN. / FOR / MERITORIOUS CONDUCT DISPLAYED ON THE / BATTLE FIELDS OF / Manassas Plains, Chancellorsville / & Gettysburg.” There are two carrying rings on this scabbard. They are found on the right side of the top two mounts. The carrying rings are gripped by castings of a hands.

Presented to Colonel Marcus L. Harrison by the officers and men of the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Volunteers in 1864

Description

Enlisted as a private, Marcus Larue Harrison’s railroad background made him an acting lieutenant of engineers by the fall of 1861. In 1862 Harrison was given permission to organize Arkansas Unionists into the 1st Arkansas Cavalry Regiment. The regiment served in battles in northwest Arkansas. This sword was presented to him by the officers and men of the regiment in 1864.

The blade of this sword is long, curved, and single edged. The fuller is broad and shallow and it extends about three quarters of the way to the tip of the blade. Both sides are decorated in floral and scroll designs in gold and silver chasing. The obverse bears an American soldier holding a sword and a cluster of military trophies bearing the monogram "US". The reverse bears a soldier holding a gun, and a larger "U.S." monogram. The grip of the sword is a plain textured metal that has been wrapped with gilt wire approximately 18 times around in a spiral. The backstrap is a gold metal with scroll designs and military trophies, including a US shield, cast upon it. The pommel is a continuation of the backstrap, and is covered in scroll designs. There is a large dark red jewel in the place of a capstan rivet. The knuckle guard and counterguard are decorated with palm leaves and scroll patterns.

The scabbard bears three gold mounts. The top two mounts bear an ornate laurel spray design. The drag features a scroll design and a handful of flags at the base. The space between the two top mounts bears a silver metal plate with the inscription “M. La Rue Harrison / Col. 1st Ark. Cav. Vols. / from the / Officers and Men of his Command / 1864”. There are two carrying rings on the scabbard, one on the right side of the top two mounts.

Presented to Brevet Major General Frank Wheaton by the State of Rhode Island through Governor James Y. Smith, January 1865

Description

Presented to Frank Wheaton by the state of Rhode Island in 1865, the blade of this sword is long, straight, and double edged. It is decorated in gold and silver chasing on both sides. The obverse features a "US" monogram and a US shield of arms, while the reverse features an eagle, a face, and a cluster of military trophies. Both sides are also heavily decorated in floral and scroll patterns. The grip of the sword is a woman, perhaps Columbia or Nike, wearing a toga with her right arm raised; originally her right hand held a laurel wreath. There are two stars on her toga. The sword lacks a pommel and knuckle guard. There are two quillons and a counterguard. The smaller quillon is a simple scroll shape, while the larger quillon extends half way up the hilt, and is the same height as the woman figure's waist. This quillon features a very large purple amethyst, surrounded by casts of four cherubs. The counterguard bears a large blue enamel medallion with the initials "FW" cast in the center. The medallion is surrounded by a large laurel wreath and ribbon.

The scabbard has three gold mounts. The first mount features the seal of Rhode Island on the obverse and a dagger between laurel leaves on the reverse. The second bears a medieval trophy of arms on the obverse and a shield inscribed with the monogram "US" on the reverse. The third mount bears a spray of oak leaves on both sides. Between the second and third mounts is the inscription “BREVET MAJOR GENERAL FRANK WHEATON U.S.V. / For gallant and meritorious service during the war, and especially in the battles of / OPEQUAN, FISHERS HILL AND MIDDLETOWN / BY / The State of Rhode Island THROUGH James Y. Smith Governor, / in conformity with a RESOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY passed at its Jan'y Session / A.D. 1865” The scabbard has three carrying rings, one on each side of the first mount, and one on the right side of the second mount.